Bill to help develop casino property in Jackson dies in committee

A bill introduced this week that would have provided state support to develop a casino property on the Pearl River in Jackson died in committee on Wednesday.

Rep. Trey Lamar, who represents Lafayette and Tate counties and who is the chair of Ways and Means in the House, filed House Bill 1989 on Monday. The bill was referred to Ways and Means, where it died.

The 38-page bill would provide for a “Capital City Project Fund” would have allowed the state Department of Finance to issue bonds and authorize loans for a casino.

The casino and other developments would have been located, according to the bill, within 6,000 feet of the state capitol along the Pearl River in the downtown area of the city and within the Capitol Complex Improvement District.

However, another proposal, House Bill 1987, was referred to the House and passed 119-3 on Wednesday. That bill would allow for loans and bonds up to $2 million to be issued to develop property within the Capital Complex Improvement District that tax forfeited and owned by the state or owned by the city of Jackson, or property bought for redevelopment.

House Bill 1987 also was authored by Lamar.